As the temperature and humidity continue to rise this summer, Virginia Dominion Power and the Virginia Department for the Aging try to help area seniors stay cool through Fan Care.
In its 15th year, the Fan Care program, a public-private partnership between the Department for the Aging and Dominion Power, provides free fans to the elderly who live within Dominion's service area and who meet eligibility requirements.
Dominion acts as the financial provider for Fan Care, while local area agencies on aging determine who is eligible to receive the fans.
In previous years, Dominion provided roughly $27,000 to the program, but this year it almost doubled its financial support to $50,000. The money donated goes primarily to the purchase of fans, although limited funds are available to agencies to purchase air-conditioners for clients with more serious health problems.
"The increase in funding from Dominion will allow twice as many seniors as previous years to be helped," said Janet Honeycutt, programs manager, Department for the Aging. "With [temperatures] this summer projected to be in triple digit figures — that's the highest heat we've had since 2002 — we'll take a big hit."
Since its inception 15 years ago the program has distributed 22,000 fans to eligible seniors, said Honeycutt. On average about 950 fans are donated a year.
This year, because the heat index is estimated to be hotter than previous years, the need for citizens to stay out of the sun and inside air conditioned buildings is critical to their health, said Honeycutt.
"One of the major things with seniors is dehydration," said Honeycutt about the effects of heat and sun. "We have to make sure people drink plenty of fluids and preferably water, water, water, not coffee, ice tea or things with a lot of sugar."
Seniors eligible for the program must be Virginia residents, over the age of 60, have a need for cooling assistance and meet income guidelines defined by the area agencies on aging.
"With the heat and humidity here in Virginia, we really do have an issue of heat," said Honeycutt about the benefits of the program. "While fans don't give a medical benefit, they do give them a cooling sensation to better handle the heat."
If seniors do not receive a fan, or do not have a cooling device within their homes, Honeycutt said they need to go to a library or other public facility where they can stay out of the heat until it cools down.
"This advice is not only for seniors but for family members and neighbors too," said Honeycutt. "Look for folks who don't have cooling systems and get them out of the houses and into areas that can cool them down."
Those eligible for the program receive one fan per cooling season. The program continues until Sept. 30, or as long as funds last and businesses wanting to help may contact their local Area Agency on Aging for more information, said Honeycutt.
"We would like to emphasize that most of the local area agencies on aging, because of the heat, are already out of fans," she said. "If anyone can contribute, either by donating new fans, or donate funding toward buying new fans, it would be greatly appreciated."